2005 result

Khalid Mahmood (Lab)

Majority: 7,948 votes. — 275th largest out of 643 MPs.

Candidate profiles

Incumbent – Labour – Khalid Mahmood
A graduate of UCE Birmingham Khalid Mahmood is a former engineer with a trade union background. He also served on Birmingham City Council. He was loyal to Tony Blair voting in favour or student tuition fees and against an investigation into the Iraq war. He has been critical of the Tory-Lib Dem led Birmingham City Council, particularly over its handling of the Christmas lights switch on in 2009 when a stampede was caused by fans trying to get in to see JLS.

Conservative – William Norton

Liberal Democrat – Karen Hamilton
A councillor for the Perry Barr ward since 2004 Karen Hamilton has picked up the Lib Dem torch from her fellow ward councillor Jon Hunt, who unsuccessfully ran against Khalid Mahmood before. She was educated at Brooklyn College, Great Barr and graduated from University of Central England in Birmingham. As a councillor Karen Hamilton sits on the Leisure and Education Overview and Scrutiny committees. She also works as an accountant.